Voted one of the friendliest cities in Europe – not once, but twice – Dublin does welcomes in style. Even meeting a local has been turned into something real, with the City of a Thousand Welcomes initiative. But that’s just one of the ways how a trip to this city can open your eyes to an experience that’s much more than yet another urban getaway.
Although there will always be plenty of reasons to get your dose of Dublin, getting under the skin of this easily walkable city during the most prolific cultural season of the year – spanning September all the way through to December – has to be one of the most compelling.
Be spoiled for choice at Dublin Festival Season
Over the last quarter of the year, Dublin packs it all in as the city lights up with the Dublin Festival Season, when locals and tourists enjoy a fantastically varied number of cultural events.
Have a wander about the city and explore its arts scene during the Dublin Gallery Weekend (November 23–26), when all of Dublin’s art establishments will be buzzing with free events and exhibitions. Or dig into the Dublin Theatre Festival (September 28-October 15), with this year’s event showcasing a range of Irish and international premieres, including new Ulysses adaptations and re-imagined pieces by Beckett and Kafka.
More highlights:
Dublin Festival of History (September 29 – October 14)
Hard Working-Class Heroes Festival (September 28–30)
Bram Stoker Festival (October 27–30)
New Year Festival Dublin
TradFest (January 24–28)
New ways to explore
You can always make time to discover Dublin in the wit-filled company of our local tour guides, who delight in regaling the virtues of our city’s historic landmarks. But you also take on Dublin one step at a time with the self-guided themed routes available on the Dublin Discovery Trails App. New to the ways you can enjoy this UNESCO City of Literature city is the blend of hi-tech and creativity that unfolds with the genius Talking Statues tour, starting in October, when 10 of Dublin’s most famous statues will be given the gift of the gab. Simply wipe your smartphone on the plaques of Dublin’s famous statues of local literary greats, and you can hear the words of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Roddy Doyle, via monologues re-enacted by some of today’s award-winning names in Irish literature, theatre and film, including Ruth Negga, Gabriel Byrne and Andrew Scott.
Breathe in that fresh air while you’re at it
If you want to spread your wings on your Dublin adventure and get shore side with ease, then all it takes is a simple DART (suburban rail) journey to bring you along what has to be one of the most beautiful commuter trips in the world – the picturesque line between Howth and Killiney, with Malahide, Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey all wonderful stops along the way. With hill walks, quaint fishing villages and sublime views, there’s a whole host of ways to blend the best of both worlds in one visit.
Back in the heart of the city
Pace yourself exploring the heart of Dublin city centre with a walk around the Creative Quarter – have a browse and a bite in its best artisan boutiques, design studios, cafés and restaurants. For a quiet interlude, visit The National Gallery, which recently re-opened its refurbished historic wings, an event celebrated with much anticipated exhibitions of the classics, including Caravaggio and Jack B Yeats, as well as notable names from the international contemporary art scene.
Explore everything from the history of whiskeys and Guinness, to the stories of the Irish folks who have travelled the world in Epic HQ. Walk the cobblestones of Trinity College, visit St Valentine’s remains at the Whitefriar Street Church, rock out to more than U2 at the Irish Rock and Roll Museum or try your hand at hurling, also known as the fastest game on earth… At night, continue your journey through a city that surprises at every turn, with a literary pub crawl of this intriguing capital.
City of a thousand welcomes
Fun-loving, natural-born story-tellers and musicians extraordinaire, Dubliners make what this amazing city is renowned for: warm and welcoming pubs, relaxed dining establishments, great conversation, music sessions in the pub, and a bustling street life.
They say the best way to explore Dublin town is to be shown around by a local, and it doesn’t get much better than the world-famous Irish hospitality of the local hosts from Little Museum of Dublin’s City of A Thousand Welcomes. TripAdvisor reviews extol the service provided by with comments such as: “Amazing service – I wish every city had this!” But to Dubliners, it makes total sense. You see, Irish people love a chat, are as helpful as they come, and, yes, the Irish craic (fun) is all that’s cracked up to be, and more!
Enter any Dublin pub, and it’ll be mere minutes before conversation kicks off, as around every corner you’ll find friendly chatter and quirky characters. Try the Brazen Head, one of the oldest pubs in Dublin, or J.W. Sweetman's, for a pint of freshly brewed craft beer and perhaps even a tutorial in microbrewing. And when it comes to music, you can kick back and enjoy local sounds in distinctive Dublin venues, such as Whelan’s.
Outside the city, friendly cafés and farmers’ markets serve up tasty artisan treats with a warm and relaxed Dublin smile. And when it comes to festivals, Ireland goes all out: St Patrick’s Day and New Year’s Festival are celebrated in Dublin every year in style, with thousands of people descending upon the city for an epic party.
So, when in town, let locals guide you through the city’s main attractions and urban myths, and listen to the story of Dublin told by Dubliners themselves.